{"id":"F2019L01366","name":"Migration (LIN 19/198: Evidence of financial capacity—Subclass 500 Visa and Subclass 590 Visa) Instrument 2019","slug":"migration-lin-19-198-evidence-of-financial-capacity-subclass-500-visa-and-subclass-590-visa-instrume","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":100209,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2019L01366-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"## Part 1—Preliminary\n\n1 Name\n\n(1) This instrument is the Migration (LIN 19/198: Evidence of financial capacity— Subclass 500 Visa and Subclass 590 Visa) Instrument 2019.\n\n(2) This instrument may be cited as LIN 19/198.\n\n3 Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under the following subclauses of Schedule 2 to the Regulations:\n\n(a) 500.214(4);\n\n(b) 500.313(4);\n\n(c) 590.216(4).\n\n4 Definitions\n\n> Note 1: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Regulations including the following:\n\n> Note: AASES form;\n\n> Note: course of study;\n\n> Note: Defence student;\n\n> Note: dependent child;\n\n> Note: financial institution;\n\n> Note: Foreign Affairs student;\n\n> Note: nominating student;\n\n> Note: school-age dependant;\n\n> Note: student visa.\n\n> Note 2: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act including the following:\n\n> Note: de facto partner;\n\n> Note: member of the family unit;\n\n> Note: spouse.\n\nIn this instrument:\n\n> Act means the Migration Act 1958.\n\n> primary applicant means an applicant seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for a Subclass 500 (Student) visa.\n\n> primary Student Guardian applicant means an applicant seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for a Subclass 590 (Student Guardian) visa.\n\n> primary student visa holder means a person of whom the secondary applicant is a member of the family unit, and who holds a student visa on the basis of satisfying the primary criteria for that visa.\n\n> Regulations means the Migration Regulations 1994.\n\n> secondary applicant means an applicant seeking to satisfy the secondary criteria for a Subclass 500 (Student) visa.\n\n> secondary Student Guardian applicant means an applicant seeking to satisfy the secondary criteria for a Subclass 590 (Student Guardian) visa.\n\n> secondary student visa holder means a person who holds a student visa on the basis of satisfying the secondary criteria for that visa because they are a member of the family unit of the Primary Student Visa Holder.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Requirements for applicants","content":"## Part 2—Requirements for applicants\n\n6 Subclass 500 (Student) visa—primary applicants\n\n(1) For the purposes of subclause 500.214(3) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, a primary applicant must give to the Minister evidence of financial capacity that satisfies the requirements of subsections (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6).\n\n> Note: For primary applicant, see section 4 of Part 1 to this instrument.\n\n(2) The evidence of financial capacity:\n\n(a) is in the form specified in section 10; and\n\n(b) demonstrates that the primary applicant has sufficient funds available to meet the following costs and expenses of the primary applicant:\n\n(i) travel expenses; and\n\n(ii) the following living costs and expenses:\n\n(A) if the primary applicant intends to stay in Australia for a period of 12 months or more—AUD29,710 (primary applicant annual living costs); and\n\n(B) if the primary applicant intends to stay in Australia for a period of less than 12 months—the pro rata equivalent of primary applicant annual living costs, calculated as specified in section 11; and\n\n(iii) the following course fees, minus any amount already paid:\n\n(A) if the duration, or the remainder, of the primary applicant’s period of study in Australia is less than 12 months—the fees for the course of study or the remaining components of the course of study; or\n\n(B) if the duration, or the remainder, of the primary applicant’s period of study in Australia is more than 12 months—course fees for the first 12 months of the period study in Australia; and\n\n> Note: The period of study is the period beginning on one of the following days and ending on the final day of the applicant’s final course of study:\n\n> Note: (a) if the applicant’s first course of study commenced after the date of application—the first day of the first course of study; or\n\n> Note: (b) if the applicant’s first course of study commenced before the date of application—the date of application.\n\n(c) demonstrates that the primary applicant has sufficient funds available to meet the following costs and expenses of each secondary applicant making a combined application with the primary applicant:\n\n(i) travel expenses; and\n\n(ii) for each secondary applicant who intends to stay in Australia for a period of 12 months or more—the following costs (secondary applicant annual living costs):\n\n(A) for a spouse or de facto partner— AUD10,394; and\n\n(B) for a dependent child— AUD4,449; and\n\n(iii) for each secondary applicant who intends to stay in Australia for a period of less than 12 months—the pro rata equivalent of secondary applicant annual living costs, calculated as specified in section 11; and\n\n(iv) the following school fees for each school-age dependant:\n\n(A) if the school-age dependant intends to stay in Australia for more than 12 months— AUD13,502 (annual school costs); or\n\n(B) if the school-age dependant intends to stay in Australia for less than 12 months—the pro rata equivalent of annual school costs, calculated as specified in section 11; or\n\n(C) if the school-age dependant is enrolled in a course of study at a State or Territory government school where the fees have been waived, and the Primary Applicant is enrolled in a course as a doctoral degree student, a Foreign Affairs student, a Defence student or a Commonwealth sponsored student—nil.\n\n(3) The evidence of financial capacity:\n\n(a) is official Government documentation of personal income that has been issued in the 12 months immediately before the application is made; and\n\n(b) demonstrates that the primary applicant’s parent, spouse or de facto partner has a personal annual income, in the 12 months immediately before the application is made, that is:\n\n(i) if there is no secondary applicant– at least AUD87,856; or\n\n(ii) if there is a secondary applicant – at least AUD102,500.\n\n(4) The evidence of financial capacity is the primary applicant’s completed AASES form.\n\n> Note: AASES form is defined in regulation 1.03 of the Regulations to mean for a secondary exchange student, an Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student form from the relevant State or Territory education authority, containing the following declarations:\n\n> Note: (a) a declaration made by the student’s exchange organisation, accepting the student;\n\n> Note: (b) a declaration made by the student’s parent, or the person or persons having custody of the student, agreeing to the exchange.\n\n(5) If the primary applicant is a Foreign Affairs student – the evidence of financial capacity is a letter of support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.\n\n(6) If the primary applicant is a Defence student – the evidence of financial capacity is a letter of support from the Department of Defence.\n\n7 Subclass 500 (Student) visa—secondary applicants\n\n(1) For the purposes of subclause 500.313(3) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, a secondary applicant who is included in the primary student visa holder’s application, must give to the Minister evidence of financial capacity that satisfies the requirements of subsection (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6).\n\n(2) The evidence of financial capacity:\n\n(a) is in the form specified in section 10; and\n\n(b) demonstrates that sufficient funds are available to meet the costs and expenses of the primary student visa holder set out in subparagraphs 6(2)(b)(i) to (iii) of this Part; and\n\n(c) demonstrates that sufficient funds are available to meet the costs and expenses of each secondary applicant making a combined application with the primary student visa holder specified in paragraphs 6(2)(c)(i) to (iv) of this Part.\n\n(3) The evidence of financial capacity:\n\n(a) is official Government documentation of personal income that has been issued in the 12 months immediately before the application is made; and\n\n(b) demonstrates that the primary student visa holder’s parent, spouse or de facto partner has a personal annual income that is at least AUD102,500.\n\n(4) If the primary student visa holder is a Foreign Affairs student and has provided a letter of support mentioned in subsection 6(5) of this Part – the evidence of financial capacity is the letter of support if the letter of support indicates that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will meet the living costs and expenses of each secondary applicant.\n\n(5) If the primary student visa holder is a Defence student and has provided a letter of support mentioned in subsection 6(6) of this Part – the evidence of financial capacity is the letter of support if the letter of support indicates that the Department of Defence will meet the living costs and expenses of each secondary applicant.\n\n8 Subclass 500 (Student) visa – secondary applicants not included in the primary student visa holder’s application\n\n(1) For the purposes of subclause 500.313(3) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, a secondary applicant (the first secondary applicant), who is not included in the primary student visa holder’s application, must give to the Minister evidence of financial capacity that satisfies the requirements of subsection (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6).\n\n(2) The evidence of financial capacity:\n\n(a) is in the form specified in section 10; and\n\n(b) demonstrates that sufficient funds are available to meet the costs and expenses of the primary student visa holder specified in subparagraph 6(2)(b)(ii) of this Part; and\n\n(c) demonstrates that sufficient funds are available to meet course fees for any component of the primary student visa holder’s course of study which will be completed while the first secondary applicant is in Australia, up to an amount equivalent to fees for 12 months of the course of study, minus any amount already paid; and\n\n(d) demonstrates that sufficient funds are available to meet the costs and expenses of each secondary student visa holder and that the first secondary applicant has sufficient funds available to meet their own costs and expenses, and the costs and expenses of each additional secondary applicant making a combined application with the first secondary applicant, specified in subparagraphs 6(2)(c)(ii) to (iv) of this Part; and\n\n(e) demonstrates that the first secondary applicant has sufficient funds available to meet their own travel expenses and the travel expenses of all additional secondary applicants making a combined application with the first secondary applicant.\n\n(3) The evidence of financial capacity:\n\n(a) is official Government documentation of personal income that has been issued in the 12 months immediately before the application is made; and\n\n(b) demonstrates that the primary student visa holder’s parent, spouse or de facto partner has a personal annual income that is at least AUD102,500.\n\n(4) If the primary student visa holder is a Foreign Affairs student and has provided a letter of support mentioned in subsection 6(5) of this Part – the evidence of financial capacity is the letter of support if the letter of support indicates that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will meet the living costs and expenses of each secondary applicant.\n\n(5) If the primary student visa holder is a Defence student and has provided a letter of support mentioned in subsection 6(6) of this Part – the evidence of financial capacity is the letter of support if the letter of support indicates that the Department of Defence will meet the living costs and expenses of each secondary applicant.\n\n(6) If:\n\n(a) the primary student visa holder is a Foreign Affairs student or a Defence student and has provided a letter of support mentioned in subsection 6(5) or (6) of this Part; but\n\n(b) the letter of support does not indicate that the relevant department will meet the living costs and expenses of each secondary applicant;\n\nthen the evidence of financial capacity:\n\n(c) demonstrates that sufficient funds are available to meet the costs and expenses of each secondary student visa holder and that the first secondary applicant has sufficient funds available to meet their own costs and expenses, and the costs and expenses of each additional secondary applicant making a combined application with the first secondary applicant, specified in subparagraphs 6(2)(c)(ii) to (iv) of this Part; and\n\n(d) demonstrates that the first secondary applicant has sufficient funds available to meet their own travel expenses and the travel expenses of all secondary applicants making a combined application with the first secondary applicant.\n\n9 Subclass 590 (Student Guardian) visa – primary applicants\n\n(1) For the purposes of subclause 590.216(3) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, a primary Student Guardian applicant must give to the Minister evidence of financial capacity that satisfies the requirements of subsection (2) or (3).\n\n> Note: For primary Student Guardian applicant, see section 4 of Part 1 of this instrument.\n\n(2) The evidence of financial capacity:\n\n(a) is in the form specified in section 10; and\n\n(b) demonstrates that the primary Student Guardian applicant has sufficient funds available to meet the following costs and expenses of the primary Student Guardian applicant:\n\n(i) travel expenses; and\n\n(ii) the following living costs and expenses:\n\n(A) if the primary Student Guardian applicant intends to stay in Australia for a period of 12 months or more – AUD29,710 (annual living costs); and\n\n(B) if the primary Student Guardian applicant intends to stay in Australia for a period of less than 12 months – the pro rata equivalent of annual living costs, calculated as specified in section 11; and\n\n(c) demonstrates that the primary Student Guardian applicant has sufficient funds available to meet the following costs and expenses of the nominating student:\n\n(i) travel expenses; and\n\n(ii) the following living costs and expenses:\n\n(A) if the primary Student Guardian applicant intends to stay in Australia for a period of 12 months or more – AUD29,710 (annual living costs); and\n\n(B) if the primary Student Guardian applicant intends to stay in Australia for a period of less than 12 months – the pro rata equivalent of annual living costs, calculated as specified in section 11; and\n\n(iii) course fees for any component of the nominating student’s course of study which will be completed while the primary Student Guardian applicant is in Australia, up to an amount equivalent to fees for 12 months of the course of study, minus any amount already paid; and\n\n(d) demonstrates that the primary Student Guardian applicant has sufficient funds available to meet the following costs and expenses of each secondary Student Guardian applicant:\n\n(i) travel expenses; and\n\n(ii) for each secondary applicant who intends to stay in Australia for a period of 12 months or more – AUD4,449 (annual living costs); and\n\nNote: To satisfy the secondary criteria under clause 590.312 of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994, a secondary applicant must not have turned 6 years of age.\n\n(iii) for each secondary applicant who intends to stay in Australia for a period of less than 12 months – the pro rata equivalent of annual living costs, calculated as specified in section 11; and\n\n(iv) the following school fees for each school-age dependant:\n\n(A) if the school-age dependant intends to stay in Australia for more than 12 months – AUD13,502 (annual school costs); or\n\n(B) if the school-age dependant intends to stay in Australia for less than 12 months – the pro rata equivalent of annual school costs, calculated as specified in section 11; or\n\n(C) if the school-age dependant is enrolled in a course of study at a State or Territory government school where the fees have been waived, and the Primary Applicant is enrolled in a course as a doctoral degree student, a Foreign Affairs student, a Defence student or a Commonwealth sponsored student – nil.\n\n> Note: For secondary Student Guardian applicant, see section 4 of Part 1 of this instrument.\n\n(3) The evidence of financial capacity:\n\n(a) is official Government documentation of personal income that has been issued in the 12 months immediately before the application is made; and\n\n(b) demonstrates that the primary Student Guardian applicant’s spouse or de facto partner has a personal annual income that is at least AUD102,500.\n\n10 Evidence of financial capacity\n\nThe following forms of evidence of financial capacity are specified:\n\n(a) money deposit with a financial institution;\n\n(b) loan with a financial institution;\n\n(c) government loans;\n\n(d) scholarship or financial support.\n\n11 Pro rata equivalent\n\nIn this Part, the pro rata equivalent of annual costs is calculated by:\n\n(a) dividing the annual amount by 365; and\n\n(b) multiplying the resulting number by the number of days the applicant is intending to stay in Australia.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Application, Saving and Transitional Provisions","content":"## Part 3—Application, Saving and Transitional Provisions\n\n12 Application of amendments made by LIN 23/070\n\nThe amendments made to this instrument by Migration (LIN 19/198: Evidence of financial capacity—Subclass 500 Visa and Subclass 590 Visa) Amendment (LIN 23/070) Specification 2023 (the amending instrument) apply in relation to an application for a Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa made on or after the day the amending instrument commences.\n\n13 Application of amendments made by LIN 24/042\n\nThe amendments made to this instrument by Migration (LIN 19/198: Evidence of financial capacity—Subclass 500 Visa and Subclass 590 Visa) Amendment (LIN 24/042) Specification 2024 (the amending instrument) apply in relation to an application for a Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa made on or after the day the amending instrument commences.","sortOrder":2}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Sections 12 and 13 apply amendments made by LIN 23/070 and LIN 24/042 to this instrument in relation to Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa applications made on or after those amendments' commencement dates. Those clauses indicate the instrument's scope has been expanded in time/visa-class terms to capture Class TU applications (see sections 12–13)."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple applicant categories and relationships to track (primary applicant, primary student visa holder, secondary applicants, primary/secondary Student Guardian applicants) (definitions and Parts 2, sections 4, 6–9).","Several distinct monetary tests and thresholds (primary annual living costs AUD29,710; spouse AUD10,394; child AUD4,449; annual school costs AUD13,502; parental/spouse income floors AUD87,856 or AUD102,500) which vary by status and whether stays exceed 12 months (sections 6(2)(b)(ii), 6(2)(c)(ii)–(iii), 6(2)(c)(iv), 6(3)(b)).","Different rules depending on whether secondary applicants are included in the primary application or apply separately, leading to differing evidentiary and fee-coverage obligations (sections 7 and 8).","Pro rata calculation method for stays under 12 months (section 11) and rules limiting course-fee calculations to either remaining study or the first 12 months (section 6(2)(b)(iii)).","Multiple exception paths where a departmental letter of support substitutes for financial evidence for Foreign Affairs or Defence students, or where AASES form applies (sections 6(4)–(6), 7(4)–(5), 8(4)–(6)).","Cross-references to the Migration Regulations 1994 and the Migration Act 1958 for defined terms and operative authority create layering and require readers to consult external instruments (section 3 and section 4 notes).","Specified acceptable evidence types are broad (deposits, loans, government loans, scholarships) but still require documentary proof issued within 12 months, creating practical compliance tasks (section 10; sections 6(3)(a), 7(3)(a), 8(3)(a), 9(3)(a)).","Transitional application of later amending instruments to a specific visa class (Student (Temporary) (Class TU)) adds change-management and timing complexity for applicants and case officers (sections 12–13)."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this does:** This instrument sets out the documentary proof and minimum money totals applicants must show to get a Subclass 500 (Student) or Subclass 590 (Student Guardian) visa. It names who must provide evidence (primary and various secondary applicants and guardians), the acceptable evidence types, and fixed amounts for living, travel, school and course fees.\n\n**Who it affects and why it matters:** It affects students, guardians and their financial supporters (parents, spouses, sponsors) because meeting these numeric thresholds and documentary rules is a precondition for visa consideration."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument appears to maintain its original scope as a technical specification of financial evidence requirements for student and student guardian visas. The amendments referenced in Part 3 (LIN 23/070 and LIN 24/042) appear to be routine updates to monetary thresholds rather than expansion into new policy areas. The structure remains focused on its core purpose: defining 'evidence of financial capacity' for the specified visa subclasses."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple overlapping applicant categories (primary/secondary for both Subclass 500 and 590) with subtly different requirements","Extensive cross-referencing between sections — e.g., section 7(2) refers back to 6(2)(b)(i)-(iii), creating a web of dependencies","Conditional logic with multiple pathways: 5 different ways to satisfy financial capacity for primary student applicants (subsections 6(2)-(6))","Nested exceptions and special cases: Foreign Affairs students, Defence students, Commonwealth sponsored students, doctoral students, and secondary exchange students each have bespoke rules","Pro rata calculation requirements (section 11) add mathematical complexity to what appears to be a straightforward financial threshold","Defined terms scattered across multiple instruments — relies on definitions in the Migration Act 1958, Migration Regulations 1994, and internal definitions in section 4","Dollar amounts hardcoded throughout (e.g., AUD 29,710, 10,394, 4,449) requiring legislative amendment to update, rather than indexed formulas","Transitional provisions (Part 3) referencing external amendment instruments (LIN 23/070, LIN 24/042) creating temporal complexity about which version applies when"],"plain_english_summary":"This law sets the financial thresholds and acceptable evidence international students (Subclass 500) and student guardians (Subclass 590) must meet to obtain Australian visas. It requires proof of funds for travel, course fees and living costs (with higher amounts if family accompany), allows alternatives like sponsor income thresholds, and accepts bank deposits, loans, scholarships, or government support; amounts are pro rata for stays under 12 months. It prevents applicants becoming a public financial burden."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/migration-lin-19-198-evidence-of-financial-capacity-subclass-500-visa-and-subclass-590-visa-instrume","history":"/api/acts/migration-lin-19-198-evidence-of-financial-capacity-subclass-500-visa-and-subclass-590-visa-instrume/history","analysis":"/api/acts/migration-lin-19-198-evidence-of-financial-capacity-subclass-500-visa-and-subclass-590-visa-instrume/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/migration-lin-19-198-evidence-of-financial-capacity-subclass-500-visa-and-subclass-590-visa-instrume/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/migration-lin-19-198-evidence-of-financial-capacity-subclass-500-visa-and-subclass-590-visa-instrume/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/migration-lin-19-198-evidence-of-financial-capacity-subclass-500-visa-and-subclass-590-visa-instrume/documents"}}